Canada deems church group anti-Semitic

The Canadian government cut its longtime funding to a Christian ecumenical group after accusing the Toronto-based group of being anti-Semitic.

In announcing the $7 million cut to the group Kairos — half of its annual budget — Immigration Minister Jason Kenney accused the organization of “taking a leadership role in the boycott” of Israel. Kenney said that cutting its funding was one step Ottawa was taking to combat anti-Semitism.

Kenney made the announcement two weeks ago in Jerusalem at the Global Forum for Combating Anti-Semitism.

Kairos, the social justice arm of Canada’s Roman Catholic and major Protestant faiths, has received funding from the federal government for 35 years. It represents 11 Christian churches and organizations, and promotes “liberation theology” through advocacy, education and research programs around the world. — jta

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